We probably all have a love/hate relationship with our foam roller. When we think of the benefits of foam rolling, we often think about relieving muscle tightness and soreness and the discomfort that goes along with achieving that relief. Rolling with the foam roller releases muscle tension through self-myofascial release, improves circulation by stimulating blood flow; which aids in nutrient delivery and waste removal from muscles, and expedites muscle recovery after intense workouts. However, the benefits of incorporating the foam roller into your Pilates practice and workout routine go far beyond muscle release and working out those painful knots.
You can include foam rollers at any time in your Pilates workout, whether in a warmup, in challenging your core with the instability that it creates, as recovery for your muscles or as a separate mobility session. The foam roller can help you access more connections in your deep core muscles as well as increase your stability and mobility, create better body awareness, and increase your range of motion. Incorporating the rounded surface into your Pilates mat routine will create greater challenges for your balance, coordination, and strength as it activates your stabilizing muscles. The rolling action of the foam roller resembles the movement of the carriage of the Pilates Reformer, allowing you to mimic Reformer exercises on the mat and give you more variety in your workouts and prevent plateaus.
In addition, the foam roller will provide feedback to allow you to recognize which areas of your body need more work, enabling you to reduce muscle imbalances. In essence, adding the foam roller to your Pilates mat routine will give you a more dynamic, deeper challenge and intensify the effectiveness of movements, thus leading to a more comprehensive and rewarding Pilates practice.
Contact us for more information and look for ‘Pop-Up Foam Roller Pilates’ classes on the group exercise schedule soon. Please email
pilates@houstonian.com to learn more about the Houstonian Club Pilates program!
by Lara Norville, Houstonian Club Group Exercise and Pilates Instructor
Lara Norville
Lara is a native Houstonian and a former professional ballet dancer. She taught Pilates, Gyrotonic, and group exercise classes at The Houstonian Club from 2000-2013, spent a few years in Dallas, and now she’s back! Lara is a believer that a healthy body contributes hugely to a healthy mind and loves sharing these movement systems with others to help them feel the freedom, grace, strength and confidence that we all possess.